1960s - 80s

1965 - UPCO founded as mail-order veterinary supplies business in San Diego, California.

1979 - UPCO becomes Petco.

1980 - First Petco store opens outside of California in Tigard, Oregon.

1988 - Petco's dynamic growth as a major retailer starts when the company acquires two pet supply chains, WellPoint and the Pet Department, more than tripling the number of Petco stores from 40 to 130 and expanding the company's footprint in Oregon and into Washington and Texas. Live fish are introduced in our Santa Monica, California store and other live animals quickly follow.